If there was one singer who played a major role in the Tamil film playback singing in the 50’s to early 70’s it was definitely Thoguluva Meenatchi Iyengar Soundararajan, always popularly referred to as TMS. For a person who used to make fun of this singer’s nasal tone in childhood, I myself feel so bad what a great blunder I had made in under-estimating this legend…and so the first blog that I am writing about on Tamil film songs has to be on TMS as an atonement! Similar to our food taste that takes a drastic turn from childhood to the time we reach our 40’s and 50’s, it is my personal experience that our music taste also changes as we age. 

The ever so perfect diction of his Tamil, the extra-ordinary pitch, the masterly play of emotions in the singing (I can only compare him with another legend in the manner of “emoting” a song to perfection-Mohammad Rafi) and last but not least the versatility …. all these make TMS the legend that he is.

In addition to the above, his ability to adapt his singing to the actor on whom the song is picturized was extra-ordinary. I will give an example of this that actually happened few days back when I was thinking of writing this article and so was listening to many of his songs. I was having my morning walk and was listening to “Ullathin kadavugal kangalada, inge uravukku karanam pengalada” (only audio). I could make out that it was definitely not for MGR or Sivaji but someone else. Then I visualized on whom it might have been picturized and then guessed it could be Jaishankar…and then when I searched the video of the song I was absolutely right!

That is TMS’s adaptability!!!

When someone wants to select the top 10 or 20 or even 50 or 100 songs of a legend who must have sung thousands of songs through many decades, it is really a difficult task. My choice may definitely not be the same as yours and hence there is always bound to be discussions or even arguments as to why some song/songs were left out. So, it is with a clear disclaimer I am going to write that the 20 songs in this blog are purely from my personal choice. Also hoping that at least most of them would be the popular choice also. One more clarification is that this blog is only about his film songs; his devotional /non film songs may need a separate blog as those are a class apart. Few examples of his non film songs like Karpagavalli Nin Porpathangal , Ullam Urugudayya etc may be heard even hundred years from now.

#1 Muthai tharu pathi thiru nagai  Film –Arunagirinathar, Music-T R Pappa, Lyrics-Saint Arunagirinathar.

The milestone song of TMS, which even in very recent time many singers have rendered nicely but the version by TMS remains eternal and is outstanding example of his Tamil mastery. When I was collecting information to write this blog, I learnt that he just took a day to rehearse this and completed the recording in a single take!!! Not only the ease with which he had sung this great composition of Saint Arunagirinathar, his skilful rendition at his trademark high pitch adds to the charm. For those who may not be aware, he has also acted in the titular role in this film. After many years, when he would have been more than 70 years of age , in an interview he had sung this without any accompanying music with the same energy.

#2 Agara muthala ezhutellam ariya vaithai devi-Film -Saraswathi sapatham; Music -K V Mahadevan, Lyrics -Kannadasan.

A very unique composition that has all the Tamil “Uyir ezhutukkal”, i.e., alphabets a, aa, e, ee etc as the starting letters of the Pallavi of the song. And who else to do full justice to this language but TMS?

The genius of Kannadasan is reflected in the way he had composed this song with each of the line starting off with Tamil “Uyir ezuthu” alphabets like “Agaramuthala ezhuthellam ariyavaithai devi, Aadhi bhagawan mudhalendre unaravaithai devi, Iyal isai nadaga deepam yetri vaithai, Eendravar nenjai kulira vaithai….and then ends with Omkaara Isai thandhu
Uyara veiththaai devi. This was composed by  another genius -K V Mahadevan who excelled in such classical compositions.

TMS had not only rendered this with perfect diction, but modulated his voice wherever required like “oomayin vai thirandu pesavaithai amma”. note how he adds that subtle emotion when he says “amma”.

But the highlight of the song starts when TMS ‘mastery over Tamil literally flows like a river “Pottraveithu pugazh saatraveithu….and goes to astronomical heights with “Utraar suttram uravinar maandhar
Yaaani senai padaiyudai veendhar”.

# 3 Vasantha Mullai pole vandhu asaindhu aadum: Film Sarangadhara; Music G Ramanathan; Lyrics A. Maruthakasi. Composed in the Charu kesi raagam by the legend G Ramanathan, this is one of the best classical songs of TMS. That “Indira vil neeye. chandira oli neeye” is vintage TMS pitch. In the lines “eedilla unaye yennnnnn manam nadude” the beauty in yennnnn adds so much charm to the song.

# 4 Yerikkarain mele poravale pen mayile : Film: Mudalali; Music -K V Mahadevan Lyrics- Ka Mu Sharif

Composed in the Aarabhi raagam this is a typical KVM song that has a beautiful blend of the classical and folk flavours. The way TMS brings out the beauty of the word “mayile” with different styles, the alapanai after “thennai mara cholayile chittu pola “, his pleading tone with “nillu konjam naanum varen” -all these marks the highlights of this song.

A special mention must be made on the lyrics and the lyricist Ka Mu Sharif—note the similes on birds and animals- “annam pola nadai nadandhu sendridum mayile, thennai mara cholayile chittu pola pore penne, kobam konda maanai pole odalamo …. etc.

And not to forget the beautiful use of morsing throughout the song by KV Mahadevan that lends a special charm.

# 5 Vantha naal muthal; Film- Paava Mannippu; Music Vishwanathan & Ramamoorthy; Lyrics -Kannadasan

This is a superb melody composed by the Mellisai mannargal Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy with absolutely minimum orchestration, and only the voice of TMS having prominence. An iconic song that talks about how mankind has created divisions in the society with the lyrics remaining as relevant today as it was when composed in 1961 by the great Kannadasan. It starts off with a beautiful whistling and has only 3-4 instruments like a guitar, a violin before the 2^nd charanam and the trademark bongos. The usage of bongos by MSV itself may merit a separate article! 

# 6 Satti suttadada, kai vittadhada; Film Aalayamani; Music Vishwanathan & Ramamoorthy; Lyrics – Kannadasan

It is very difficult to choose between the trio of “Satti suttadhada”/ Ponaal pogattum poda/ Veedu varia uravu as all these three songs are excellent and almost with same under lying theme about  human frailties. When TMS renders these lines, you can clearly feel the various emotions like : repentance in the lines “budhi kettadhada, nenjai thottadhada; peace in “amaidhi deivam muzhu manathil koyil kondadhada; futility in “erumbu tholai urithu parka yaanai vandadhada.

#7 Paatum naane bhavamum naane: Film-Thiruvilayadal; Music – K V Mahadevan; Lyrics-Kannadasan

An iconic classical song that remains as popular today as it was more than 50 years ago when it was composed. TMS’ mastery in the classical genre is in full flow. The ease with which he goes to the heights of octave with “edhilam iyangum iyakkamum naane, yen isai nindraal adangum olage…e…e…e…e is just amazing. I happened to watch a live performance of this song in You Tube which happened in 80’s at Singapore. At the age of 60+ he had sung with same energy.

Hats off!!

#8 Malarndum malaraadha paadhi malar pola: Film-Pasa Malar; Music – Vishwanathan & Ramamoorthy; Lyrics-Kannadasan

I am sure every Tamilian must be knowing this song -needs no introduction at all. Till today there are various renditions of this song, many with lots of technical mastery in terms of orchestration, recording and even the artist’s own improvisations. With due respect to all, the feel that the original song rendered so soulfully by TMS and P Susheela can never be matched. Even a rock will melt listening to this song. What a powerful combination of lyrics, composition & singing! When you listen to the lines: Athai magalai manamkondu, Ilamai vazhikandu, vaazha pirandaiyada. The pathos in TMS’ voice is so intense. And equally matched by P Susheela in her lines also: Maman thangai magalana mangai unakkaga ulagai vilai pesuvaar. The lullaby that TMS sings after the lines: Uravai pirika mudiyaathada…is ultimate. Whenever I listen to this song, eyes become moist. Probably it was some divine power that entered the minds of MSV-TKR, TMS-PS, Kannadasan when they composed and created this evergreen melody.

#9 Yenge Nimmadhi, yenge nimmadhi: Film: Pudiya Paravai; Music – Vishwanathan & Ramamoorthy; Lyrics-Kannadasan.

Always considered THE BEST ever by TMS, this song doesn’t need any introduction at all! There has been n number of blogs/videos on the making of this epic by the MSV-TKR-Kannadasan-TMS team with some hundreds of musicians in the orchestra -an unheard-of event for that time. Any write up on the orchestration part of this song may need a separate blog and so I restrict myself to the topic of this blog, which is TMS. The song begins with the anguish of the thespian Sivaji Ganesan’s character in the movie, to the stress on the word ‘anggey’ in the lines “anggggey yenakkor idam vendum, the lament in the word ‘ohhhhhh’ in “iraivan kodiyavane ohhhhhhh”. TMS literally provides an encyclopaedia for play back signing.  At the end, “indru mattum amaidhi thanthaal uranguven thaaye…uranguven thaaye” …TMS’ voice almost breaks down with pathos. No write-up can do justice to this song. One has to just listen and get into the soul of the song.

While researching for this song, I came to know that this song was finally recorded after some 17 takes, with some 200 + musicians!! Imagine what an effort would have gone into the making with all involved in this?!!

#10 Neeye unakku endrum (popular as “Mama-Mapillai” song); Film -Bale Pandiya; Music -Vishwanathan & Ramamoorthy; Lyrics- KannadasanWhen I first heard this song, I was completely floored by this!

With only percussion instruments -may be mridangam and ghatam as accompanying instruments this is a very unique song with no other orchestration at all. Set in Suddha Dhanyasi raagam this song is not only a treat to listen to but also to watch with superb expressions by the legends Sivaji Ganesan and M R Radha, with Balaji also lending equal support with his on-screen ghatam. I am not very sure about the person who had lent the voice for M R Radha (what a great versatility by that person!) but from search in Internet I understand it is one M Raju. After starting off with pure classical tone, towards the end TMS brings about so much humour in the song with his modulations, equally matched by Sivaji with his acting. Incidentally this song is very popular in the singing talent shows in TV. I can only compare TMS’ beautiful mixture of a humorous song in a pure classical style with some of the songs in similar combinations in Hindi films done by Manna Dey.

#11 Yaar andha nilavu, yen indha kanavu; Film -Shanthi; Music -Vishwanathan & Ramamoorthy; Lyrics- Kannadasan

From the classical to  pathos, from the humorous to  jazz  in “Yaar andha nilavu”. What a versatility in TMS’ singing repertoire!! This is an epic song that has been discussed in various blogs and vlogs. One can hear a completely different TMS in this song with a westernized tone. Special touches at “ingu naaaaaan vandha varavu”, “koil deepam maariyadai neeeeee arivayo” make the song more enjoyable. How can we ignore the innovative use of the instrument Sarangi in the prelude and also before the first charanam? I read in many blogs that Sivaji took few days to think how to enact this song on screen after having complimented TMS, MSV-TKR and Kannadasan on creating this immortal song.

#12 Enna than nadakkum nadakattume; Film -Panathottam; Music -Vishwanathan & Ramamoorthy; Lyrics- Kannadasan.

Now we come to another style of TMS -yes you guessed it -who else but Puratchi Thalaivar M G Ramachandran. In this song that “HA” summarizes the style of MGR and also TMS! It is a well-known fact that TMS had completely different styles for Sivaji and MGR, with most of the songs also written and composed in different ways for both these leading actors. In his own words he had said that for Sivaji he used to sing from deep within and for MGR more from the throat.

When TMS sings “thannale velivarum tayangadhe, oru thalaivan irukkiran mayangadhe” we can very well visualize MGR waving his hand in his trademark style.

The philosophical songs (Thattuva padalgal in Tamil) of MGR and Sivaji that TMS had sung with equal fervour can be a separate article in its own merit. The list is endless.

#13 Oru pennai paarthu nilavai paarthen: Film-Deiva Thai; Music -Vishwanathan & Ramamoorthy; Lyrics- Vaali

After the different genres that we have discussed so far, we now come to romance genre. For any playback singer to be successful for decades, versatility is one of the main reasons. And what other song than this to start off the topic? Right from the beginning, the foot tapping drums and bongos set the tone for the song. Note the seamless “avalillamal naan illai, naan illamal avalillai” sung without any break. Also, the question at the end of each charanam “naalai yen seivalo???”

#14  Pavalakodiyile muthukkal poothal punnagai endre: Film: Panam Padaithavan; Music – Vishwanathan & Ramamoorthy; Lyrics-Vaali

A haunting duet with excellent humming by L R Eshwari, brilliantly composed by MSV-TKR with an Arabian style melody. The way TMS stretches each word on the pallavi is simply great.

#15 Tharai mel pirakka vaithan: Film: Padagotti; Music – Vishwanathan & Ramamoorthy; Lyrics- Vaali

A sad song generally doesn’t have a catchy rhythm pattern, but this is one amazing composition by MSV-TKR that has such a beautifully rhythm and orchestration, but with an underlying pathos, that is brought out in TMS’ voice.

Vaali’s lyrics are a perfect reflection of the plight of fishermen’s life; with Padgotti film Vaali became a force to reckon with in Tamil film industry, breaking the near monopoly of Kannadasan.

The charanam ascends gradually with each line and reaches a peak to come to a brief pause with a beautiful flute piece taking over. A special mention on the excellent use of Shehnai; MSV -TKR were masters in using this predominantly North Indian instrument.

#16 Kan pone pokkile kaal pogalama: Film: Panam Padaithavan; Music – Vishwanathan & Ramamoorthy; Lyrics-Vaali

Another MSV-TKR+Vaali+TMS+ MGR combination that is an evergreen melody.

Set to a waltz rhythm so beautifully by the mellisai mannargal MSV-TKR duo with an excellent piano-violins-accordion-flute orchestra arrangement and also an added chorus to give a total westernized feel, this song is really a class apart.

When TMS says “manidhan pona padaiyai marandhu pogalamaaaa?”, the question is already conveyed in his singing. This remains a personal favourite for me forever.

#17 Naan aanaittal adhu nadanduvittal: Film: Enga Veetu Pillai; Music – Vishwanathan & Ramamoorthy; Lyrics- Vaali

A peppy number, conveying the political message of MGR in his inimitable style.

Starting off in the trademark pitch, TMS matches with the energy of MGR’s performance of the song on screen.

#18 Or aayiram paarvaiyile un paarvaiyai naan ariven: Film: Vallavanukku Vallavan; Music – Vedha; Lyrics- Kannadasan

Although this song was the Tamil version of the original Hindi “Sau baar janam lenge” composed by Ravi and sung by Rafi, TMS had rendered this with equal, if not even more emotions.

# 19 Andha naal gnyabagam nenjile: Film: Uyarntha Manithan; Music – M S Vishwanathan; Lyrics-Vaali.  A one-of-a-kind song that swings between dialogue and song a, this is indeed a masterpiece in singing by TMS. The situation of the song is when two men from different social strata meet – the character played by Sivaji Ganesan is a rich man, who talks about his childhood days with his friend, who is now his driver (played by Major Sundararajan).

The ease with which TMS shifts from a happy tone at the beginning of the song to pathos is truly remarkable. Also, when we watch the song the seamless merging of Sivaji’s acting and TMS ‘voice is a classic example of play back singing. Vaali’s lyrics are on the best ever from him for a Sivaji film. Towards the last charanam, the song goes into almost prose form: ‘periyavan siriyavan, nallavan kettavan…and then “Thavarugal seidhavan evanume azhugiran”. If anyone else other than TMS had sung, it would have just sounded like a dialogue and not a song.

One can convincingly say that this song was not “sung” by TMS but “enacted” off screen by him, complimenting the legend Sivaji’s on screen acting to the tee.

# 20 Ennadi rakamma pallaku nelippu: Film: Panam Padaithavan; Music – M S Vishwanathan; Lyrics- Kannadasan. A cult classic now, if the word “viral” would have been applicable in the year 1972, it would have been very apt. Those days there might not have been a day in which this song was played in radio or in some function or the other. A rocking, folksy, peppy number from TMS that completes his repertoire in this blog.

Acknowledgements and Disclaimer:
The songs mentioned are from the popular, public domain and have been mentioned here   only for the listening pleasure of the music lovers. This blog does not claim any copyright over them, which rests with the respective owners of the rights.